Jonathan Lipman grew up in Kennesaw but the sophomore defensemen is touted as one of the best in Tennessee.

After helping lead McCallie to a state championship, where the team lost a 7-6 heartbreaker in overtime to Memphis University School, Lipman was named 2014 Brine National High School All-American and was chosen to represent Georgia in the Brine National Lacrosse Classic held in Boyds, Md. on June 30 to July 3.

At the Brine National Lacrosse Classic, 20 teams consisting of the nation’s top high school players, will compete for a National Championship. And Lipman’s team will be coached by his high school coach, Troy Kemp.

It was Kemp who encouraged Lipman to try out for a position on the team and impressed enough coaches during drills to get a spot on the roster.

“I was just very excited and overjoyed,” Lipman said. “It excites me that I’m representing Georgia and Tennessee on the Brine national team.”

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Lipman was also named to the LB3 2016 National team. He was also invited to other showcases over the past year such as the Fab Frosh and Super Sophs located in Greenwhich, Conn., the LB3 SE Showcase in Atlanta, the Jacke Reed 3d Blue Chip in Davenport, Fla. and Top 205 in Towson, Md.

Lipman started playing lacrosse in sixth grade while living in Kennesaw and immediately got hooked. Instead of joining his original high school team at Kennesaw Mountain, he said he opted to pursue a bigger challenge, and that was to go to boarding school at McCallie.

After visiting the school and meeting his new teammates, he had no regrets choosing McCallie.

“At first, I was drawn into the bond of the guys over there,” Lipman said. “Living in a dorm with four other (teammates), we stuck together and hung out a lot. That was one of the things I liked about it. I liked the coach too.”

Lipman credits Kemp for always making tweaks in his game and has turned into a stellar defender over the last two seasons. As of now, primary strength is scooping up groundballs, averaging roughly seven a game, and pushing the ball up field. Highlight film of Lipman made public on the Internet indicates that he is skilled at protecting the crease and is good at slapping the ball out of opposing sticks.

Lipman is guaranteed two more chances to win a state championship after coming up short this season. He said he’s working tirelessly to improve his speed, footwork and stick skills to prepare himself for next year.

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